Alkali fixer usage and fixing times

[Tom Kershaw]

I have recently started using Fotospeed FX40 Alkali fixer when making fibre base prints as it cuts the need for a HCA stage, which is convenient as I don't have a particularly large sink.

However, the only instructions given on the bottle are for fixing time and capacity; fotospeed.com contains no PDF instruction sheet.

Fotospeed suggests a fixing time of 4 minutes for fibre base paper @ 1+4 dilution, and 7 minutes @ 1+9 dilution. These times seem rather long compared to other fixers, ILFORD HYPAM for example.

Turning to the information available for other Alkali fixers such as the Bill Troop (TF-3 and TF-4) formulas; concerning TF-4, Photographer's Formulary suggest 1 minute fixing time for fibre base paper @ 1+3 dilution. I do however understand that TF-4 is sold as a highly concentrated stock solution.

'The Darkroom Cookbook' entry on TF-3 suggests 1 minute fixing time for paper @ 1+4 dilution, with no further information. If 1 minute refers to the fixing time for RC paper, this figure may compute with the fixing times for FX40 according to Fotospeed of 1 minute @ 1+4 dilution for RC paper.

The capacity of FX40 fixer is given as 10 fibre base prints / 40 RC prints per 1 litre of 'working solution' without indicating dilution used.

Do these fixing times sound sensible? I do wish other manufactures or suppliers would follow the example of Kodak or Harman and provide comprehensive documentation.

Tom.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Fotospeed suggests a fixing time of 4 minutes for fibre base paper @ 1+4 dilution, and 7 minutes @ 1+9 dilution. These times seem rather long compared to other fixers, ILFORD HYPAM for example.
.

Are you comparing rapid to rapid fixers? Or rapid to hypo based?

TF-3 and TF-4 are both rapid fixers. TF-2 is hypo based and slower.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Nick,

Fotospeed doesn't indicate the nature of its Alkali fixer.

Tom.

 

[dancqu]

The capacity of FX40 fixer is given as 10 fibre base prints
/ 40 RC prints per 1 litre of 'working solution' without
indicating dilution used. Tom.

There is no doubt you have a rapid fix concentrate;
ammonium rather than sodium thiosulfate. The limit
stated, 10 FB 8x10s, is the same 1:4 or 1:9.

Likely Fotospeed has adopted Ilford's HIGHEST standard
for capacity. If the concentrate is of the usual strength and
processing for less than the Greatest longevity Ilford's 40
8x10s FB limit at 1:4 is the limit. At 1:9 the limit is 20.

The 10 print limit is not based upon chemical capacity.
1:4 or 1:9 there is more than enough chemical capacity
for 10 8x10s. THE LIMIT, 1:4 OR 1:9, 10 prints OR 40
prints is the ACCUMULATED SILVER CONTENT of
the fixer.

Ilford sets the limits at 2 grams silver per liter of fixer
for usual processing and sets the limit at 0.5 grams for
optimal permanence processing. That's the difference
twixt 10 and 40 FB prints.

Have I made all that clear? Dan

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Dan,

Would you suggest that the longer fixing times for FX40 compared to HYPAM for example are related to developer Ph and concentration?

Tom.

 

[dancqu]

Dan, Would you suggest that the longer fixing times
for FX40 compared to HYPAM for example are related
to developer Ph and concentration? Tom.

More than likely the discrepancy is due to a lack
of communication twixt the laboratory and the copy
department. Not the first instance I've seen where the
instructions didn't fit the chemistry. As for ph I'd think
if anything an alkaline fix quicker. Your concentrate,
give or take some little should equal in strength
any other.

By the way, AFAIK the one minute fix and FILM strength
fixer for PAPER were invented or at least introduced by
Ilford. I believe both derive from the early eighties.
Some have reported one minute too little time for
some papers.

Ilford actually promotes the two bath method. Give
Ilford's fix PDFs a read. With the two bath method
you'll get much better milage from the chemistry
and gains in print longevity. Two Big ++s. Dan

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I telephoned Fotospeed today and the person on the technical support line said the times printed on the container are correct.

Tom.